SPORTING Premier Royal At Long Odds At New Brighton: Jack Peterson In Form

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1949, Page 7

SPORTING Premier Royal At Long Odds At New Brighton: Jack Peterson In Form

[SPECIAL TO STAR]

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.—Premier Royal, which has ha 4 a chequered career, and which had done little in the past few months to suggest a victory, won the Henry Mace Handicap at the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday like a game racehorse, to pay more than a score. The time—4.22 3-5 from a 4.32 mark—represented a fine effort. . Backers who were wide of the mark at New Brighton a fortnight fared no better on Saturday, when only two favourites justified the support accorded them.

The early leaders were Culture and Wayfarer, while later Direct Heir went to the lead and carried on with Gantree, Mount. Mellick, Loyal Nelson, Novelda and Fantom handy. Gay Piper came into the picture before the straight was reached and then Despatch raced to the front and looked all over a winner. He held on gamely but Premier Royal finished very fast and in a photo-finish got Ihe verdict by a head. Gay Piper was four lengths away third, followed by Bulls Eye, Beckleigh, Gantree and Fantom. . . Punters were far astray in their judgment on the opening event, the Introductory Handicap, for the winner, Master Mariner, 15-14 in the betting, won nicely after being handily placed throughout. He is an aged gelding by Sandydale from a fast pacer in Rocks Ahead. Affectation, Piccolo, Bromley Lad and Master Mariner were in the firing line all through and it was not until the straight that Master Mariner made a serious effort to get to the front. The leader was never seriously extended in the run to the post, and he came away to win comfortably by a length from Peggydale, with Supplement, another outsider, two lengths, away third, with Affectation fourth and Mystery Dillon fifth. Ivondale Stays On Ivondale, 14-10 in the betting, paid more than £4O when he won the Shirley Trotting Handicap . after a hard race with the favourite, Concord. Captain Hardy was the pacemaker throughout, with Concord, Ivondale and Signal Light following.

Ivondale was in front at the straight entrance, and while Concord made a noble effort he was still a head away as the post was reached. Signal Light was well back in third place, just ahead of Who Knows and Captain Hardy. The well-bred Perpetua, by Springfield Globe—Wrack’s Advice, had a comfortable win in the Seaview Handicap. Nebula, Daisy Bar, Lady Mavourneen, Orthodox and Perpetua were always in the leading bunch and at the half-mile poat Perpetua made a strong run round the field to be second to Nebula at the straight entrance. Nebula had had enough a furlong from home and Perpetua finished with a fine burst of speed to win going away from’ the field. Vigilant- was in third place, ahead of Parawa Derby and Tranquil Lady. Black Diamond’s Win A fine young pacci* in the four-year-old Black Diamond won the Bowhill Handicap very comfortably after an accident in the race had put Sowden Beck, Star Rosa, Pinto and Ipso Facto out of the running. Curiosity, after a quick beginning, soon raced to the front and, followed by Grattan Gold, Josedale Audubon and Victory Dale, he led to the straight, where he began to feel the effects of the pace. Victory Dale was the-next to take command, but he had little chance once Black Diamond got clear of the field. Black Diamond went on to win handsomely by two lengths, while Kimono Girl was some- distance away in third place, ahead of Glengarry and Locknit.